Terravita at SLO Brew San Luis Obispo, Ca; 5 Dec 2013

I dont listen to much dub step, but when I do listen I like it HARD! Terravita delivers the wobbly beats that drive my feet into unsyncopated rhythm and general body seizures that everyone else sees as sick dance moves.  Getting to watch Terravita do their thing was great but this show was not lacking talent on any front!  

Opening with tropo and being followed by robotic pirate monkey seemed a bit like a random collection to me but  it gave the show a wonderful theatrical build. Tropo is a melodic mix of live instrument performance and electronic DJing.  The rhythm is sensible and drives you to move your body whether you want to or not.   If Terravita is the smack you in the face deep beats, Tropo would be the fast paced sensual beats.  Some where in between those two is Robotic Pirate Monkeys, which may be my favorite just for the name!  I have to admit, while I enjoyed all three bands i think RPM would be the group I listen to most often.  There are times when Tropo would fit the bill and days when Terravita is necessary but RPM was just fun, border line silly dance music from these two guys who are falling over each other to mix the music! I dont mean 'falling over each other' as a bad thing either, its fun to watch and the results are foot tapping shoe shuffling shenanigans!  

See these guys!  See them often and always be dancing in your heart!

https://soundcloud.com/tropo

http://roboticpiratemonkey.com/

https://soundcloud.com/roboticpiratemonkey

https://soundcloud.com/terravita

Will Hoge at SLO Brew, San Luis Obispo CA, 7 dec 2013

When people ask me what music I like my response is usually "anything but country" which is why I dont want to call Will Hoge or Joe Koenig (the supporting act) country music.  I like folksy music and outlaw country (al la johnny cash) is a whole separate thing  . ..but it isnt.  It is performers like Joe and Will that make it so I have to take stock of my 'not country' stance.  These guys are solid performers with music I thoroughly enjoy.  If you see these ramblers passing through your town make sure to give them a once over . . . especially if you are thinking 'but I dont like country" they might just surprise you. 

Tribal Seeds at Slo Brew, San Luis Obispo, CA. 20 nov 2013

If you were looking for a who's who of new reggae you should have been at SLO Brew on nov 20th!  I could say tribal seeds, the deep reggae band out of san diego, was headlining and that would be enough to make it a show worth attending!  Since 2005 Tribal seeds have been releasing reggae hits on an independent label and each year their notoriety rises! The 'older stuff' is solid reggae with a predictable beat and lyrics that are heavily 'chill', which is great but the new music (everything from soundwave to their unrecorded songs that we all hope will be on a new up coming album) has additional complexity not only in the instruments but in the thoughtfulness of the lyrics without losing that mellowing vibe.  

I know most of you would go to a tribal seeds concert but toss in Pacific Dub as a supporting band!!! well now you are covering the reggae spectrum.  Pacific dub is more reggae rock with a heavier guitar influence and stronger bass line.  They manage to keep an upbeat fun feel but have a sound that is more 'accessible' by those who appreciate a little more rock and hip-hop in their reggae.

What was most surprising to me was the opening band Hirie.  I had not heard of this group and they blew me away! Smooth soulful and energetic.  The combination of strong rhythm with lyrics that portray a joyfulness in life make this an act not to miss.  If I had a crystal ball to see the future in I am sure I would see Hirie as a headlining reggae band that people travel hundreds of miles to see.